High school students interested in careers in medicine are invited to join Medical Explorers Post 998, sponsored by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America. An informational kick-off meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, in the West Auditorium of 801 N. Rutledge St. in Springfield.

Medical Explorers is open to all local high school students between the ages of 14 and 20. SIU faculty, staff and students will guide teens through a wide range of medical situations, share firsthand experiences and offer advice to students interested in pursuing a medical career. The program meets one to two evenings a month from September through May. Explorers will have the opportunity to learn about the fields of internal medicine, surgery, pharmacy and other medical disciplines. Participants will also gain hands-on experience through a visit to the surgical skills lab.

For more information, contact Whitney Zahnd at 217-545-2428 or wzahnd@siumed.edu or visit the Medical Explorers on Facebook. If students choose to join Medical Explorers, a registration fee of $25.25 is due by the third meeting.